Now Commenting On:

Clemens shares first victory with family

4/9/13: Astros pitcher Paul Clemens makes his Major League debut, tossing four innings of relief and picking up the win over the Mariners

By Brian McTaggart
/
MLB.com |

SEATTLE -- Perhaps the best thing Paul Clemens was able to take away from his first Major League appearance Tuesday, along with his first career win, was being able to share it with his father, Michael Clemens, and brother, Michael Jr., both of whom were in the stands at Safeco Field.

"It was an unbelievable experience," said Clemens, who threw four innings in relief in the Astros' 16-9 win, earning a shaving cream pie to the face. "I heard from a lot of family and friends and former pitching instructors, guys that have helped me get here."

Clemens will be presented with the game ball and scorecard after they're authenticated. He plans to give both to his father, who shared a lunch with his sons on Seattle's waterfront Wednesday before flying home to Pennsylvania.

Clemens also received a stylish toiletry travel bag from teammate Rick Ankiel.

"But I heard once they do something like that for you, you get to do a lot for them," Clemens said, smiling from ear to ear. "This team has been great. This team is phenomenal from top to bottom. The bullpen guys have been great to me, and catchers -- [Carlos] Corporan and [Jason] Castro -- it's been a pleasure working with those two guys, and having an offense at any given time put up that many runs is awesome."